Karl E. Bednarik, Jr.

Karl E. Bednarik, 88, of Genoa, Ohio passed away surrounded by his family June 5, 2012 in St. Vincent Hospital. Karl was a beloved husband and father. He was not afraid to stand up for what he believed or to show affection for his dearly loved family. Karl gave of himself and made a positive difference in the lives he touched. He enjoyed visiting and corresponding with family and friends. Karl was born July 17, 1923 in Barberton, Ohio to Austrian and Croatian immigrants Karl and Josephine Rasic Bednarik. He graduated from Barberton High School in 1941. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Heidelberg College in 1949 as well as a Master of Science in Wildlife Management from Ohio State University in 1951. He served in the U.S. Air Force in WWII and flew 55 missions on a B-24 bomber in the Southwest Pacific with the 5th Air Force, 22nd Bomb Group, 2nd Squadron. In 1955 Karl married the love of his life Arvilla Billie LaFountain. Karl had a distinguished career as a biologist for 36 years with the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. He began his career at the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area in Ottawa County. In this position, he organized the area into the states center for research on wetlands wildlife and transformed it into a training ground for future leaders in the field of wildlife conservation. Karl provided technical advice and facilities to 17 students completing their O.S.U. Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. As Supervisor of Waterfowl, Furbearer, and Wetland Research and Director of the Crane Creek Wildlife Experiment Station, he developed and coordinated wetlands wildlife research/ management, wetlands habitat inventory, furbearer research/management, and recommended annual waterfowl hunting and furbearer trapping proposals. In 1954 he developed the now well-known Magee Marsh Bird Trail, which is recognized as one of the top 10 outstanding birding areas in the U.S. and supervised the Sportsmens Migratory Bird Center Museum. Karl gained a national reputation as Father Goose for developing a model program to establish nesting populations of Canada geese in Ohio. In 1964 he received The American Motors Corporations national award presented to professional conservationists. He was the 1975 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award by The Association of Midwest Fish and Wildlife Agencies. In 1987 he received the Governors Ambassador Award for his unique contributions to the wise use and management of Ohios natural resources presented by Governor Celeste. In 1991 he was inducted into the Ohio Conservation Hall of Fame, honoring him for outstanding lifelong commitment to the preservation, protection, and conservation of our states natural resources. He also received 23 other awards at the National, State, and Regional levels for outstanding contributions in wildlife conservation. He authored and co-authored over 200 publications on wildlife conservation and ecology. Karl enjoyed the outdoors. He loved traveling, bird watching, gardening, hunting and fishing. He was a 61 year member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Oak Harbor, Ohio. Above all, Karl was a loving, caring, dedicated husband, father, and friend who will be dearly missed by all. Karl is survived by his wife of 56 years, Arvilla Billie, daughters, Cynthia Alex Rasi and Patricia Bednarik Dr. Rock Heyman, sister Emma Paul Momchilov and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Karl and Josephine Bednarik, brother Paul Dottie Bednarik, and sister Joan Al Rebec. Visitation will be Sunday, June 10, 2012 from 1-4 and 6-8 p.m., with a wake service at 7:30 at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home in Oak Harbor, Ohio. The Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 11, 2012 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Oak Harbor, beginning with prayers offered at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Interment at Union Cemetery, Oak Harbor will follow. Memorial contributions may be made to The Nature Conservancy or The Audubon Society.